Tag Archives: estate

Citroen, Estate/Sport Tourer

Estate has a certain X factor

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Citroen C5 X

By Bill McCarthy

In the world where SUV/crossover appears to be king, introducing a large saloon, or is it an estate?, is a brave, or even an inspired move. Spotting an estate is increasingly difficult such is the svelte, aerodynamic styling of many modern models.

But the proof of the pudding is the practicality and the C5 X has that in spades. So yes, it is an estate, but an extremely striking looking one.

There are many selling points, but the starting price of just short of £28k for what is a whole lot of car, is a compelling one.

It comes in petrol and hybrid versions, the diesel seemingly consigned to the dustbin of history.

There are three trim levels, Sense Plus, Shine and the range-topping Shine Plus driven here.

This model featured the 130bhp, 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, with a powerful 180 bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder powerplant also available.

The front of the car is striking with a V-shaped LED light signature, long roofline that ends with a floating, aerodynamic upper spoiler, while a second spoiler, in gloss black, adds to the sleek look.

Styling is further enhanced with large, diamond-cut alloys and on this model, the optional bi-tone black roof. 

It looks like a premium vehicle and that impression remains with the interior. It is a roomy impressive place to be with leather, chrome and soft-touch finish giving it the upmarket ambience.

Shine and Shine Plus models get leather upholstery as standard, while Sense Plus cars feature a tweed-like fabric.

The whole interior layout is well thought out and logical and dominated by a 12-inch central touchscreen and a seven-inch information cluster behind the steering wheel.

There are big bins under the centre armrest as well as an extra slot that is ideal for your phone. Gear selection is via a centrally placed switch which does away with the traditional lever and adds to the feeling of roominess.

The boot, while still spacious, is comparatively small for an estate car and loses space because of the slung roofline.

It offers the kind of practicality found in an SUV however, with seats that can be folded flat using levers in the boot area, offering total boot space of between 545 and 1640 litres.

The brains of the car, operated via the central touchscreen features a number of apps and controls navigation where fitted, infotainment and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The system lets you customise the home screen and the TomTom navigation system is one of the best on the market.

The test model features the now familiar three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine. It seems a small capacity to power such a large car, but copes with ease, delivering the signature three-pot rasp under acceleration.

The 130bhp unit, mated with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, powers the car to 60mph in just 10.4 seconds, while also delivering economy of around 48mpg. Impressive for a large vehicle

On the road, it feels stable and assured and Citroen’s bespoke Advanced Comfort Suspension delivers the kind of comfort reminiscent of the gas-powered suspension of yesteryears in Citroen.

Not soft, by any means but firm enough to be comfortable as on-board sensors to automatically optimise the suspension settings based on road conditions.

All Citroens score highly on safety and this model is packed with kit, both active and passive. 

Equipment here included Active Safety Brake, Collision Risk Alert, 360-Vision, Long Range Blind Spot Monitoring System, Highway Integrated Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Active Lane Departure Warning System and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition and Speed Recommendation.

For those questioning the wisdom of introducing what looks like a large saloon and bucking the SUV/crossover trend, the combination of smart styling, excellent practicality and a tempting price, could prove them wrong.

C5 X Shine Plus PureTech 130 EAT8 automatic

Price: £32,160

Mechanical: 129 bhp, 1,199cc, three cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via an eight speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 130mph

0-62mph: 10.4 seconds

Combined mpg: 48

Insurance group: 21E

CO2 emissions: 136g/km

BIK rating: 31%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Estate/Sport Tourer, Mazda

Sporty Mazda delivers the goods

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Mazda6 Tourer

By Bill McCarthy

SPORTY estate car almost seems like a contradiction in terms, but when designed with some care and attention and called a tourer, a desirable product can be delivered.

Which is important in the SUV/crossover era where estate cars struggle for traction, if you’ll pardon the pun. But if you’re looking for a good looking, roomy, practical estate with a premium feel, the Mazda has plenty to offer. It is also one of the most reliable brands on the road.

Roomy and practical yes, but this is no big barge of a vehicle. Instead it features a sleek coupe like silhouette with eye-catching alloy wheels, wide and deep grille and smart light clusters with LED running lights.

The interior too has an upmarket, executive feel, offering plenty of space for five passengers, good head and legroom, admittedly tighter in the rear seats, and cavernous stowage capacity.  

All Mazdas are well equipped, which makes them good value for money. But there are some nice touches from Sport trim upwards. This model features powered and heated Nappa leather seats, with seat heating for the outer seats in the back, 11-Speaker Bose surround sound system, powered sunroof and head-up display.

An eight-inch centre display is the main feature, and functions are controlled by a rotary knob on the centre console. This operates infotainment, navigation and connectivity for smartphones.

This model also features a TFT LCD colour dial set, while the storage compartment beneath the rear centre armrest features a pair of USB ports that let occupants charge portable devices.

On the road, Mazda’s Skyactiv technology 194bhp power unit propels the car to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, via the six-speed automatic gearbox. That is pretty sharp performance, but for an even more engaging drive, switch to sport mode and the gearchange paddles.

Fuel economy in the real world, according to WLTP figures, is 37.5 mpg, that is decent economy for a large petrol engine powering a 2.1 tonne vehicle.

On the road, the latest tweaked suspension and direct steering deliver sharp handling and the car acquits itself on country lanes. The ride is on the firm side but is still comfortable and easily soaks up all but the very worst our potholed roads can offer.

Stowage space features a large loading bay that expands from 522-litres to 1,664 when 60:40 split rear seats folded.

They collapse into a flat cargo area using a simple procedure using either the levers located on each side of the boot or the standard release buttons on the seatbacks themselves.

Safety features are comprehensive and include a 360 degree parking camera, adaptive LED headlights, assisted braking, full complement of airbags. 

Factfile

Mazda6 Tourer 2.5 GT Sport Auto 

Price: £33,860

Mechanical: 194PS, 2,488cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 139mph

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 37.2

Insurance Group: 27E

C02 emissions: 172g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles